What factors affect policy decisions and practises regarding the provision of shelter for vulnerable migrants and refugees in urban areas?

Abstract:

Abstract
This is a study of the factors affecting policies decisions and practises regarding the provision of shelter for the most vulnerable migrants and refugees in urban areas in Johannesburg. The institutions that have contributed to this qualitative study are UNHCR, OCHA, JRS, CMM, Bienvenu Shelter, Mercy Shelters, Bethany House, Frida Hartley Shelter and The Gauteng Provincial Government. Through interviews and observations of meeting with senior managers, this research found that institutional differences such as the core beliefs finances and policies of the institutions do play a role on the decisions and practises done about shelter provisions for vulnerable forced migrants. The Central Methodist Mission which has accommodated three thousand people at its peak has been one of the focus points of the study. The Advocacy Coalition Framework has been used to analyse these service providers especially after the xenophobic attacks that took place in May 2008. Vulnerability is viewed differently by institutions and this has effect on who gets to be sheltered. Different institutions form different coalitions so as to fulfil their mandate which are also different because of the scope and focus of the service provider. The sheltering of forced migrants has not been very high on the agendas of big institutions such as UNHCR and South African Government until recently. The church shelter providers have a long tradition of accepting migrants and refugees into their care. Other shelters have changed their policies so as to accommodate some forced migrants whom they view as vulnerable. I found out that women and children are focused upon by many shelter providers. The availability of funds is always a challenge on the work done by different shelter providers.